As with all prospects, college game film takes precedence over combine drills. "If a middle linebacker runs a 4.82 but he is instinctive and quick in a short area, the 40-yard dash time doesn't matter," one AFC general manager said. "At that position what matters is they are productive and make plays."

New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese suggested teams might start talking themselves out of a good football player if they put too much stock in Te'o's combine performance and "Catfish" soap opera at the expense of his Fighting Irish tape. "We try not to do that," Reese said. "We don't put our head in the sand, but we don't overanalyze the information we get either."

Even if Te'o is given the benefit of the doubt on instincts and short-area quickness, it's fair to wonder if questionable athleticism will push him into the second round.

Whereas last year's No. 9 overall pick Luke Kuechly blazed a 4.58 40-yard dash, James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga dropped out of the first round after clocking in just under 4.80 in 2009. If teams conclude that Te'o can't play all three downs, he's likely to fall in line with the latter two.